TRAI slaps notice on ESPN over DTH tariff

NEW DELHI: The war between ESPN and DTH operators such as Tata Sky over the pricing of sports channel took a new twist on Tuesday with sector regulator TRAI deciding to act tough on the broadcaster.

TRAI has warned ESPN that it would ask the I&B ministry to discontinue broadcaster's licence if the latter failed to comply with the prices prescribed by regulator within the next three days. TRAI has also added that it would haul ESPN to the courts if failed to comply.

The issue relates to ESPN failure to adhere to TRAI's directions, which has said that broadcasters can not charge a premium of more than 50% to DTH operators when compared to the prices they offer to cable operators in non-CAS areas.

The regulator had asked the sports broadcaster to modify its reference interconnect offer so that it offers its three sports channels—Star Sports, Star Cricket and ESPN—in the same bouquet as it does to MSOs and LCOs in non-CAS area.

"If no written statement of explanation is received within the time so allowed, the matter will be proceeded with the presumption that ESPN has nothing to offer in its defense," said TRAI in its 18-page long notice issued to the broadcaster.

TRAI in its notice asked as to "why action should not be initiated against it (ESPN) and why a complaint should not be filed by the authority before the court to take cognisance of the contravention of the directions dated June 24?" "Why a recommendation should not be made to the Central Government (ministry of information and broadcasting) by the authority for revoking the registration of the channels under uplinking/downlinking guidelines?" the regulator added.